• Long Term Adviser position, 12 month contract
• Canberra based, however applications for flexible, part-time or remote work will be considered
• Monthly remuneration of AUD $8,026 - $10,032 depending on experience (inclusive of superannuation)

About Us

Abt Associates is a mission-driven, global leader with a proven track record in complex program implementation in the international development sector. We offer bold solutions and technical excellence in Health, Economic Growth, Governance, Research & Evaluation, Environment & Energy, Gender Equality & Social Inclusion. Working with our many partners, we have driven measurable social impact for more than 55 years, to achieve our mission of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people worldwide. We operate in remote and challenging environments and employ more than 3,700 staff in over 50 countries. For more information about us and what we do, visit our website here.

Background

The Australian Government's Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security was established in October 2017 to lead the design and delivery of the $300 million Health Security Initiative (HSI) (2017-2022). The goal of the HSI is to contribute to the avoidance and containment of infectious disease threats with the potential to cause social and economic harm on a national, regional or global scale.

It aims to inform evidence-based planning, help prevent avoidable epidemics, strengthen early detection capacity, and support rapid, effective national and international outbreak responses. It does this by accelerating research on new drugs and diagnostics, expanding partnerships at the national, regional and global levels to strengthen human and animal health systems and deepening people-to-people linkages that build national and regional health security capacity. Funding for the initiative is drawn from Australia's international development assistance program and applied to activities eligible to be classified as Official Development Assistance.

Since late 2020, the Centre has also been responsible for the design and implementation of the Regional COVID-19 Vaccine Access and Health Security Initiative (VAHSI).

About the Opportunity

The Adviser – Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) will work in the MEL team within the Centre for Health Security, reporting to the Team Lead. The position will work closely with the team and wider stakeholders to manage and implement MEL processes for the Health Security Initiative (HSI) and the Regional COVID-19 Vaccine Access and Health Security Initiative (VAHSI), and implementation of the MEL system for each. The Adviser will also deliver part of the MEL team’s wider work, with oversight by the Senior Adviser and/or Team Lead.

The Adviser - MEL will be responsible for:

• Managing and implementing MEL processes for the Health Security Initiative (HSI) and the Regional COVID-19 Vaccine Access and Health Security Initiative (VAHSI).
• Supporting the development and implementation of MEL frameworks for the HSI and VAHSI at country and activity levels, including reporting against them.
• Applying MEL expertise in the development of MEL frameworks, tools, and products for the HSI and VAHSI.
• Working with the MEL team to prepare performance reporting for HSI and VAHSI. This includes preparing an evidence base for and drafting progress and Investment Monitoring Reports for VAHSI, and quality assuring performance reporting for the HSI.
• Delivering or supporting part of the MEL team’s wider pipeline of work. This might include preparing tasking and guidance notes, evaluation and review of ToRs, evaluation team management, and implementation or oversight of evaluations and final reports.
• Managing a database and processes to collect, organise and analyse data against the HIS and VAHSI PAF and MEL Framework, and support its use by the MEL Team and other stakeholders
• Facilitating MEL work undertaken through external contracts and consultants, ensuring that the process and deliverables are fit for purpose and of appropriate quality.
• Supporting DFAT staff to undertake the MEL processes and activities for investments through the VAHSI and HSI.
• Working with other members of the Operations Support Team to ensure risk management and gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) is appropriately included in MEL products and reporting.
• Collating and quality assuring results on behalf of the CHS for the Partnership for Recovery Development Strategy and other DFAT reports, as required.
• Working with other areas of DFAT to complete Partnership for Recovery health security indicators as required.
• Other duties as directed.

Specific duties will be as directed by DFAT. The Adviser will work under the direction of the MEL Team Lead, and as part of a small cross-disciplinary team that covers MEL, GEDSI, risk management and safeguards, and financial and knowledge management. Duties may change from time to time according to the workload of the team.

This work will involve engagement with stakeholders based in Australia and overseas.

The MEL Adviser will be responsible for the following performance outcomes and deliverables:

• Supporting data collection and reporting against VAHSI country-level MEL frameworks, including support for program managers and MEL consultants with data collection and analysis.
• Developing the evidence base and prepare material for the HSI and VAHSI investment level progress reports to the HSI and VAHSI steering committee and senior management, and the annual HSI and VAHSI Investment Monitoring Report.
• Managing and using a system to collect data for reporting against the HSI and VAHSI PAF, including sourcing data, undertaking data entry, and undertaking analysis.
• Supporting and quality assuring relevant evaluations and other MEL activities that are led by other program areas within DFAT or undertaken by partners.
• Ensuring all MEL takes appropriate account of the cross-cutting policy priorities of gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) and climate responsiveness. HSI activities must also take appropriate account of One Health.
• Coordinating CHS inputs for DFAT quality reporting cycle including working with program managers to prepare results required for the Partnerships for Recovery performance framework.
• Engaging with internal and external stakeholders and working effectively with team members across the Centre for Health Security.

Selection Criteria

We are seeking an individual who will bring:

• At least 5 years’ experience in the development and delivery of monitoring, evaluation and learning products, ideally in an international development setting.
• Experience in quality assuring and analysing qualitative and quantitative data and using that data to report progress and performance.
• Experience working with the Australian Government and with technical consultants.
• Degree in a discipline relevant to monitoring and evaluation, international development, or public health.
• Ability to develop working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• High-level Word and Excel skills, including the ability to manage and present complex information.
• Fluency in English and demonstrated ability to express verbally and in writing complex ideas in clear and simple language.

The ideal candidate will also have:

• Experience with and understanding health systems strengthening is preferable, but not essential.
• Experience with and understanding of DFAT M&E systems is preferable, but not essential.

next steps

To submit your application, click Apply Now.

Please attach your resume/CV and a cover letter (as a single PDF document) addressing how you meet the requirements of this role.

Abt Associates acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands and waters on which we live and work. We pay respect to elders both past and present.

Equity: Abt Associates values individuality and celebrates difference with a strong commitment to diversity, equality, racial equity, gender, and disability inclusion. We strongly encourage people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply for this position. We offer flexible work arrangements and a culturally safe environment for staff members from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Safeguarding: We are deeply committed to safeguarding, to protect and prevent harm and abuse to individuals we work for and who work for us. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. We will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, child abuse, sexual abuse or exploitation in any form, and expect everyone to be treated with respect and dignity.